Privilege matters a lot. In this case something as simple as "having a family member with $150k" creates a remarkable difference in consequences. They did som

Privilege matters a lot. In this case something as simple as "having a family member with $150k" creates a remarkable difference in consequences. They did something stupid, which is embark on a renovation without sufficient funds and having no idea what they were doing. The consequence for them is owing a family friend money and being even higher on the wealth and assets ladder with growing equity. For the person that doesn't have that, the consequences would be losing all of their savings, foreclosure, ruined credit, and a near zero chance of getting another shot at doing it again. Having access to resources compounds and grows over time, and and changes everything about ultimate outcomes.